tholmes

This^. I've been using the $20 fit-overs from Wal-Mart For years. They have side shields and brow shields to block out stray light and I get several years out of a pair. I'm WAY past caring how they look. Tom

Probably more incidental contact rather than a deliberate attack. In muddy water, he just didn't see you and bumped into your boot. Good thing it wasn't a 50 lb. flathead, he might have knocked you over. Tom

^ Yep! I use the "Solar" color for line-watching applications and clear for everything else. Tom

I don't use any repellent. Skeeters just don't like the way I smell, I guess. DEET is some nasty stuff. A friend of mine got some on a guitar that was finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and it literally dissolved the finish in a few spots. Tom

Spend more time with my wife, fish when I can, reel maintenance, make jigs and blade baits, play my guitars a lot, watch Jayhawks basketball. Tom

I agree^. I prefer a medium power rod for squarebills and shallow to medium cranks. That combo would be pretty sweet! Tom

Smithwick Suspending Rattlin' Rogue, 5-1/2" in Chrome/Blue back/Orange belly or Foxy Mama. Rapala X -Rap, size 8 or 10 in Gold, Glass Ghost and Slick. Tom

Before fishing: SET THE DRAG, check the line for nicks and kinks, a quick once over to make sure everything is working properly. During fishing: Wipe off any dirt, especially in the line guide. After fishing; Loosen the drag, wipe down and put a drop of oil (never grease) on the worm gear. At least once a year: Tear down, clean thoroughly, grease the drive train, oil the bearings (more often on reels that see heavy use), replace any worn parts and put them away (in Crown Royal bags) until net season. Do this religiously and your reels should serve you faithfully for many years. Tom

Ribbon-tail worm, Tequila sunrise, red shad, or junebug, t-rigged. 2nd place would be a blue/black jig with matching trailer. Tom

Sweet dreams! Tom

Fritos Chili Cheese! Tom

Oiling the brake drum has become a routine part of my "clean 'n' lube" ritual. It just takes a tiny drop of oil on a cotton swab wiped around the inside of the brake drum. I usually do it about twice a season on my reels. Tom

Replace the tip guide with a new one of the same size and type. It's super easy. Tom

I am praying for complete victory over this, Dwight. Tom

Rig up the Premier and try it. I would think that it would be up to the task, but you won't know for sure until you try. Personally, I would prefer a moderate action over the fast for treble hook baits, but the fast action may be alright. Tom

I like to keep a couple of shorter (6' and 6 1/2') medium/moderate rods in the arsenal for tight quarter casting. I'm more accurate with the shorter rods also. Tom

Plano boxes in my tackle box and zip-loc (or original) bags in plastic totes in my storage shed. Tom

If you throw away everything that has a label like that on it, you're house is gonna be pretty empty. Tom

I caught my PB on a Mann's Jelly Worm in 1971, 9 lbs. 9 oz. from Clarks Hill ( now called Strom Thurmond Lake, but it will always be Clarks Hill to me), I've been fishing them for over 40 years and they still catch bass as well as ever. Tom

I'll be praying for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. All the best to you! Tom

Me too. 1/4 oz. squarebills along rip-rap banks have been good. 1/2 oz. blade baits in deeper water have also paid off. Tom

The major difference is in the quality of components. Gear Ratio has little to do with it. As ScottF alluded to in his post, the more costly reel will likely outlast the cheaper reel by a significant margin. As far as gear ratio, it's just as easy to make cheap high-speed reels as it is to make cheap slower reels. The more expensive reel will likely have higher quality bearings, gears and other components that will make for a longer, more trouble-free life. At least, that's been my experience. Tom

Looking at the video, I'm pretty sure that is a white bass. A HUGE white bass. Congrats on a very nice catch! Tom

Fixed it for ya! Tom

If that's a white bass, it's a MONSTER! Tom